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Thunderbird Club

Any time you want to join you're always welcome. That's a very cool TBird, congrats on the purchase, and happy NBD!

As a fellow Fender player with Precision bass as my go to Fender what I found with my first TBird is that it sounded bold, thick and full, it sat in the mix nicely with nickel round wounds when played finger style. With a pic the TBird cops a cool aggressive attitude and sits much more forward in the mix. To my surprise when I put flats on my Bird I dropped into very familiar P bass territory but maintained some of the aggressive nature when digging in.

I'd suggest you try your favorite flats on it, I suspect you'll quickly realize that your Bird is every bit as capable as your P bass in fitting in any type of music. Think of it as a P bass on steroids with a sexy svelt body and a slim fast neck. Also, be prepared to step into the spotlight anytime you dig in, these are not shy basses.
Plus no one will comment on an old (or new) P (love'em, owned at least 6) but the Tbird sure gets attention. "Look a Gibson Firebird bass!"...
 
Really interested in this string conversation for a T-Bird going on here. Strings can be so much fun.

What I’m really curious about, however, is ACTIVE pickup replacements. I have an Epiphone TB Pro IV with the stock pickups that I want to replace at some point. It needs a new setup before I really get to using it (which makes this string discussion fun — I have tons & tons of options), but I know I’m going to want new pickups.

The problem is that most of the pickups I know of for TB’s are passive. I’m looking at active as of right now. What are your recommendations?
 
Really interested in this string conversation for a T-Bird going on here. Strings can be so much fun.

What I’m really curious about, however, is ACTIVE pickup replacements. I have an Epiphone TB Pro IV with the stock pickups that I want to replace at some point. It needs a new setup before I really get to using it (which makes this string discussion fun — I have tons & tons of options), but I know I’m going to want new pickups.

The problem is that most of the pickups I know of for TB’s are passive. I’m looking at active as of right now. What are your recommendations?
I think TwyreZ has a set of Bartolinis for TBirds he may be trying to unload (if he hasn't already)..
 
LOL - I always get a kick out of Dave. He's very competent and equally opinionated with a pretty strong bias against anything that isn't made by Fender. Looks like he did a nice job of setting yours up. However, and I can't say this strongly enough - never, ever, ever force the bow on a Gibson neck by grabbing the headstock and pushing down on it! I doubt he did any damage to yours when he did that but I can also say that quite possibly it wouldn't have taken much more force to snap the headstock right off the bass. When you put flats on your bass you'll undoubtly need to adjust the relief, DO NOT DO IT THE WAY HE DID.

There's a very good post about a dozen pages back that explains in detail the correct way to adjust the action and set your bridge height. Follow that and you'll be golden. :thumbsup:

I've watched a few of his vids and agree he appears to know what he's doing. His insight banter could use a filter at times but I agreed with the essence of them. My '64 HSC was stored for too long in a dank space and know the mildew smell he spoke of. It took hrs in the sun sprayed with Lysol to rid it but it finally dissipated. (the mildew and Lysol smell) As they say, sunlight is the best disinfectant. The headstock/neck connection is not as fragile as you referenced - I mean, I wouldn't stand on it but the pushing he did on it was well within it's capacity as wood to flex. Plus, a scarf-joint is a very solid joint - sort of like a broken collar-bone mending stronger than pre-break.
 
Carolina or KC?
This will turn a brand new Swing Set into La Bella's in a jiffy. Cheaper too!..
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Really interested in this string conversation for a T-Bird going on here. Strings can be so much fun.

What I’m really curious about, however, is ACTIVE pickup replacements. I have an Epiphone TB Pro IV with the stock pickups that I want to replace at some point. It needs a new setup before I really get to using it (which makes this string discussion fun — I have tons & tons of options), but I know I’m going to want new pickups.

The problem is that most of the pickups I know of for TB’s are passive. I’m looking at active as of right now. What are your recommendations?

I have a Jackson Thunderbird with EMG's, I usually play with a pick, it's strung with Ken Smith Rock Masters, 45-105. They're a super match!
 
I've watched a few of his vids and agree he appears to know what he's doing. His insight banter could use a filter at times but I agreed with the essence of them. My '64 HSC was stored for too long in a dank space and know the mildew smell he spoke of. It took hrs in the sun sprayed with Lysol to rid it but it finally dissipated. (the mildew and Lysol smell) As they say, sunlight is the best disinfectant. The headstock/neck connection is not as fragile as you referenced - I mean, I wouldn't stand on it but the pushing he did on it was well within it's capacity as wood to flex. Plus, a scarf-joint is a very solid joint - sort of like a broken collar-bone mending stronger than pre-break.
I had a cat(male, I presume)whiz/spray on the cover for my Kasino. Hit it with bleach,Lysol,something else I don't recall, let it sit out in the FL sun and air for about a month, then threw it away.:(
 
What Kasino model do you have?
It's called a 252 which means 2-15s,200watts. It's in my "Amps" pic in the back. Bought it in '70 and it'll still blow people away.MyAmps.jpg I guess I gotta re-do 'cause I didn't have the R112 when I shot this. Hafta wait 'til the rain stops, though.:D
 
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